For the first few centuries of Christianity there were five great Apostolic Churches located in the most important, powerful, religiously significant cities of the ancient world — Jerusalem, Rome, Constantinople, Antioch, and Alexandria. Each of these great Churches has Apostolic origins: Saint James the Brother of the Lord was the first bishop of Jerusalem; Saints Peter and Paul founded the Church in Antioch; Saint Peter later presided in Rome; Saint Andrew, his brother, presided in Constantinople; and, Saint Mark the Evangelist founded the church in Alexandria.
It is from the Roman church that most European and American churches draw their traditions and rituals. Some Eastern Churches drew their inspiration from Constantinople. These Eastern Christians are often called "Greek" because their origins are in the Greek-speaking Roman empire of the eastern Mediterranean. They are often called Byzantine as well.
The Eastern Christian churches today belong to many groups and families, some of which are Antiochian, Armenian, Coptic, Greek, Melkite, Russian, Ruthenian, Syriac, and Ukrainian. Some are Catholic while others are Orthodox.
Some American churches, including ours, were started by people from Eastern Europe or the Middle East. They still keep the ways of the Holy Land: Jerusalem, where Christ founded His Church; Antioch, where the followers of Jesus were first called "Christians"; Damascus, where Saint Paul was converted; Tyre and Sidon, where the Lord healed the Syro-Phoenician woman. Because our ways reflect this Eastern culture, we are called an Eastern Church.
At the time of the Early Church, there were several rich cultures in the Middle East, and each of them gave rise to a different church tradition. The traditions of our church reflect the Greek or Byzantine culture, and so we are called Greek Catholics, or Byzantine Catholics (from Byzantium, the ancient name for Constantinople).
Greek Catholics in the Middle East were also called Melkite because they followed the faith of the Byzantine emperor (melek) in supporting the decisions of the Council of Chalcedon.
Another important aspect of our community life is our joy in each other's company, expressed in the frequent meals and social times we share. Finally, we open ourselves to support one another in the trials of daily life. In this way, the unity we celebrate at the Eucharist is lived out day by day.
Our beliefs and practices date from the earliest days of Christianity in the Holy Land. By continuing to observe them, we maintain a living connection with the early Church. We cherish our Tradition as a continuous stream flowing from the first Christians to us under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
1976 | Father Max Chalhoub, of blessed memory, arrives in San Francisco to start a Melkite Church |
1977 | St. George holds liturgy at Joe Halaway’s L’il Joe’s Restaurant |
1978 | Manawel Khoury finds church property on 1620 Bell Street |
1979 | Father Max celebrates the first Palm Sunday and Pascha at the church |
1980 | Father Max departs to establish St. John of the Desert in Phoenix, AZ |
Father Maximos Mardelli, of blessed memory, arrives | |
1981 | Patriarch of Antioch Maximos V Hakim, of blessed memory, visits |
1982 | Archbishop Joseph Tawil, of blessed memory, visits |
1984 | Father Maximos Mardelli transfers to St. Elias the Prophet in San Jose, CA |
Father Gus Deasio arrives | |
1986 | Father Gus transfers to St. Joseph in Akron, OH |
Father Jim Babcock arrives | |
1989 | Father Jim transfers to Holy Cross in Placentia, CA |
Father Basil Adcock becomes the temporary administrator | |
1990 | Father Ken Sherman arrives |
1991 | Father Ken transfers to St. Nicholas in Rochester, NY |
Father Mark Melone is installed by Archbishop Ignatius | |
1993 | Parishioner James Graham ordained a priest at St. George |
1995 | Heavy rains collapse roof of church and rectory |
1996 | Bishop John Elya, Exarch of Newton, re-conscecrates new Cross |
2000 | Dominican Father Brendan McAnerney joins our parish from Ashland, Oregon |
2003 | St. George celebrates its Jubilee year! |
2005 | Archbishop Cyril Bustros, Eparch of Newton, visits |
2011 | Father Mark transfers to St. Joseph in Lawrence, MA |
Father Brendan becomes Pastor | |
2016 | Deacon Dorotheos ordained by Bishop Samra |
Father Brendan retires, remaining in residence as the Pastor Emeritus | |
Father Hezekias is appointed the Parish Administrator | |
2017 | Father Hezekias is appointed Pastor |